Protection of Gulf of Aqaba against anthropogenic and natural stress during climate changes NATO-SfP 981883 Dr. Dilek Ediger TÜBİTAK-MRC Institute of Environment TÜBTÜBİİTAK-MRCTAK-MRC SinopSinop Univ.Univ. FacultyFaculty ofof LifeLife Sciences,Sciences, Bar-Bar- IlanIlan University-University- IsraelIsrael MarineMarine ScienceScience Station,Station, Aqaba,Aqaba, JordanJordan Project Partners name city country Iluz, David Dr. Ramat-Gan Israel (PPD) Al-Najjar, Tariq Hasan, Dr. Aqaba Jordan Co- Director Levent Bat, Prof. Dr. Sinop Turkey Co- Director Dilek Ediger, Dr. Gebze Turkey (NPD) Advantage of NATO-SfP Programme Project has two-step evaluation procedure 1-Short application 2-Full Project Plan (planning grant) Project partners have the opportunity to participate in a full discussion about the planned project The main aim is to colectively improve the project proposal Application is without unnecessary becurocratic paperwork The last stage is to present the finalised project proposal in Brussels NATO-SfP 981883 “Aqaba Antropogenic Stress” • Started December 2006 • Expected duration of the project October, 2010 • Coral reef community has survived for thousand of years • Main economic asset: international tourism and local recreation • Coral reefs sustain highest biodiversity and also coastal fishery Anthropogenic stress Oil Sewage Eutrophication (Loya & Klein 1994) Fish Farm Fishing and Divers • The reefs have been declining both in live coral cover, in biodiversity and associated biota • These changes may be caused either by anthropogenic or by natural processes • Gulf of Aqaba is exposed to the impact of global climate change • Increasing dust deposition OBJECTIVES Establish a cooperation between Israel, Jordan and Turkey in marine sciences Examine the effect of anthropogenic or natural perturbation on coral reef community Establish quantitative relationships between water optics and water quality for assessing coral health Gathering of historical and present data to use in a simulation model for predicting future ecosystem Training of students Allocation of Tasks Israel- Bio-optics, phytoplankton, light field, primary production and mathematical model Turkey- Pigment measurement (HPLC), phytoplankton identification and quantification Jordan- Phytoplankton, Zooplankton, Nutrients, trace metals, and physical parameters Map of Gulf of Aqaba Green stations in Israel side and red stations in Jordan side. Inventory no Property ıtem manufacturar location 1 CTD Seabird Jordan 2 Underwater Biospherical Israel spectroradiometer 3 High Resolution Pre Ocean Optics Israel Configured Spectrometer +light source 4 Computer (not-book) hp Jordan 5 Photocopy machine Jordan Overview of Progress 3 meeting was held in Aqaba and Turkey cruise details and responsibilities were discussed Monthly cruises conducted in the Gulf of Aqaba Six graduate students (3 from Israel, 2 from Jordan and 1 fromTurkey) have started to work in this project. Five master studies were finalised under NATO SfP project work Fatih Şahin, visited to MSS and IUI, joined the cruise, and trained, Gal Dishon visited Sinop Univ. 6 progress reports were submitted to NATO Overview of Progress The scientific results obtained from this project activities are published in various ways. -2 poster and 2 presentation -5 manuscript Final Outcomes provide end users with a model allowing interpreting changes in bio-optical parameters establish a permanent Jordanian- Israeli task force focusing on the protection of Gulf of Aqaba Ecosystems, generate bilingual (arabic/hebrew) community outreach materials (Video, CDs, and educational publications) aimed at public awareness of the Gulf's unique life Capacity building (technological infrastructure and human resources) for the Jordan Institute end-users Aqaba Special Economic Zone Authority, Nature and Parks Authority, Israel Ministry of the Environment, Municipalities of Aqaba and Eilat THANK YOU .